George’s Top Ten Drivers List, with Comments
Posted by GEORGE June 4, 2009 12:46:10 PM
Last week, I posted who I consider the top ten drivers in NASCAR Sprint Cup Racing. I received quite a few e-mails regarding my picks. Here is some of the feedback I received:
John and Lisa from Virginia: Any top ten NASCAR list that does not include Dale Earnhardt Jr is bogus! Dale Jr is the most popular driver, and should have been listed as number one.
George says: I won't argue with the fact that Dale Earnhardt Jr is the most popular driver in NASCAR, but there is no way he is one of the top ten.
Bonnie from Canada: Where's Junior?
George says: In 18th-place and holding! And that's pretty close to where I would rank him on a list of top 20 NASCAR drivers.
Jeremy from California: Don't you think Jeff Gordon should be ranked higher than 5th?
George says: I wanted to rank him higher, but I couldn't bring myself to move any of my top four down the list.
Gary from Arizona: Why do you think Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart are the best two drivers?
George says: Their style of driving make them the best. They are hard-nosed, free-spirited, and have a desire to win every race. Other drivers will complain about a car, but Busch and Stewart will take the same car and win with it.
Sophia from North Carolina: I agree with your list except for Kyle Busch. He's a punk!
George says: Keep in mind, Sophia, this was not a most popular driver list. If you were a team owner, and your success depended on winning races, which driver would you pick?
Galen from North Carolina: I can't say that I like all the drivers on your list, but I can't argue with your logic.
George says: Thanks Galen. There are a couple on my list that I wouldn't invite over for dinner, but they certainly know how to drive!
Lisa from Montana: You should have had Jeff Burton on the list and not Kevin Harvick.
George says: I thought about Burton, but he's more of a driver from the past. In today's world Jeff Burton would be in my top 20, but not my top ten. Kevin Harvick is a top ten driver. Just don't look at his most recent performances.
The guys from the coffee shop: Your list stinks! What about Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty?
George says: What are you boys putting in your coffee? If I had been putting together an all-time list of great NASCAR drivers, Petty and Earnhardt would have been numbers one and two, but this was a list of current drivers. Thanks guys!
You can find 10, or maybe even 12 drivers to consider for your top 10 NASCAR drivers list, but beyond that, the choices get pretty slim. The drivers I picked will win the vast majority of races this year, but beyond my list, it's a matter of luck and timing. And the rookie class is down and out with the possible exception of Joey Logano. What's this mean? It's a great time to break into NASCAR Racing!
Thanks to all of you who e-mailed me with comments. Opinions abound, and it's clear that NASCAR fans remain loyal to their favorite drivers, no matter what. That's what makes NASCAR racing the greatest sport on the planet.
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